RB Leipzig became the first club ever to defend the DFB-ePokal. The Saxons made short work of Borussia Dortmund in the final and secured a national title after all
RBLZ Gaming has ended its national title drought. After losing the finals of the Virtual Bundesliga Club Championship and the individual championship, the Saxons have secured the DFB-ePokal. Thanks to a commanding performance in the final against Borussia Dortmund, Umut Gültekin and Anders Vejrgang were able to lift the coveted trophy into the air at the DFB Campus in Frankfurt, just like last year
Gültekin defies slapstick deficit
The final match had started anything but optimally. Despite a good start, including a few chances, ‘RBLZ_Umut’ was initially faced with a curious deficit against Dortmund’s Roee Feldman. After the Israeli first failed to hit the post, Gültekin’s keeper put the ball back at his feet. The BVB professional was not to be denied the goalkeeper
The lead did not last long, however. The reigning eFootballer of the Year quickly put the 0:1 behind him, made it 1:1 just five in-game minutes later with an outstanding move and immediately added the second goal. However, the Leipzig player did not want to make the final decision – also because he was too playful in the 74th minute of the in-game match. The black-and-yellow team’s chance of a comeback remained until the final whistle, when a Schlotterbeck clearance was smashed against the virtual RB goalkeeper
Destoop goes down without a chance
Vejrgang thus had the chance against Belgian Bradley Destoop to wrap up the title defense – and made impressive use of it. Having failed early on with a Panenka penalty, the Dane then showed all his class. After a good quarter of an hour, he went ahead and scored the second goal in the first half. The preliminary decision in a game played with an open goal.
However, ‘RBLZ_Vejrgang’ was not yet satisfied. After the break, he kept his foot on the gas pedal, quickly gave his side a three-goal lead and added goals four and five before the end. It was a demonstration of power from the Leipzig player, whose iconic “griddy” cheer after making it 4:0 in the meantime sent the local crowd into ecstasy. And the final step towards the title he so desperately wanted
Semi-finals: ‘BerkayLion’ does not reward himself
The Saxons had previously prevailed in the semi-finals with a 2:0 speed run against SV Werder Bremen. However, the games were closer than the result suggested. Berkay Demirci in particular made life difficult for Gültekin in the first game, but missed several good chances after a better start. Time and again, the Leipzig man controlled his keeper, defusing shots and admitted after the match: “We were a bit nervous because we were playing against Bremen. Werder are the best team after us.”
In the second half, however, Gültekin got over his nervousness, which is why the missed shots were to take revenge for SVW. After around 60 minutes of in-game play, the German eEuro participant scored with the first chance to take the lead, which ‘BerkayLion’ was unable to counter. Shortly before the end, ‘RBLZ_Umut’ had the chance to score the second goal instead – but despite a green timed finish, the shot missed the box
Vejrgang fixes the final
Bremen’s Henning Wilmbusse was therefore doomed to win his second duel against Vejrgang and, like his teammate, got off to a good start in Leipzig’s matchball game. However, a strong save from the RB goalkeeper meant that the Dane found his feet better. Shortly after hitting the crossbar, the defending champions took the lead and promptly added the second goal.
Wilmbusse quickly replied to the 3:0 shortly after the break with a corner, but overall ‘RBLZ_Vejrgang’ acted much more confidently and made everything clear at the beginning of the final phase. With a little help from the unfortunate Hanseatic keeper, he pushed the virtual leather into the net to make it 4:1 and book the final for Leipzig.
Golden Goal saves VfB for now
The second semi-final between VfB Stuttgart and Dortmund was even closer. After Feldman had beaten Mateo Keser 3:1, Antonio Radelja dramatically kept the Swabians in the game against Dennis Malcherczyk. For a long time, an open-ended game would not tilt in favor of the more dangerous VfB eSport player – the golden goal was needed
In the hunt for the winning goal, both players got off to a flying start. There were great opportunities on both sides until the exchange of blows culminated in a double chance for Radelja, which first hit the post and then a blocking defender. The goal almost seemed nailed on until the 2023 VBL individual champions scored with the virtual Serhou Guirassy in the crease to force the decider.
Feldman brings the lead over time
In this one, Radelja was allowed to stay directly on the controller, but now faced Feldman, who got off to a great start. The Dortmund player quickly took the lead before preventing VfB’s immediate reply and doubling his own lead. An extremely uncomfortable situation for the German-Croatian in the shirt with the chest ring, as he was faced with the Israeli’s notorious administrative mode.
The BVB professional managed to hold on to the result until the 70th minute. But then his central defender missed a pass into the sixteen and Radelja scored the equalizer, which was to be followed by a hot final phase. Feldman parked the proverbial bus at times, defended with great concentration and was able to rely on his keeper in the decisive moments
